Power Your
EL System

EL Tape comes in two electrode constructions, Parallel and Split, and they require fundamentally different inverters. Using the wrong one will either produce very dim output or damage the tape.

Parallel EL Tape runs at lower voltage (100-240V) and higher frequency (800-1100Hz). It uses the same inverters as EL Wire, which means you can run EL Wire and Parallel EL Tape off the same battery pack. Good for wearables, costumes, and custom shapes where cost efficiency matters.

Split EL Tape runs at higher voltage (280-300V) and lower frequency (650-1000Hz). It requires its own dedicated inverter line. Split tape is brighter, longer-lasting, and better suited for commercial applications like egress lighting, signage, and retail displays.

If you're unsure which tape you have, check the product page, it will be labeled Parallel or Split explicitly.

TruEL™ Wire is physically larger than standard EL Wire (4mm vs 2.6mm diameter) and draws roughly twice the power. This has two practical implications:

First, if you're using a standard EL Wire inverter with TruEL™, cut the rated footage in half. An inverter rated for 50ft of EL Wire will only drive 25ft of TruEL™ reliably. Running more than that will result in dim output and may shorten the inverter's lifespan.

Second, to get TruEL™ to its maximum brightness (300-400 cd/m standard, over 1000 cd/m overdriven), you need the Mondo HP Inverter. It pushes higher voltage and frequency specifically tuned for TruEL™ Wire, which extracts far more brightness than standard inverters can. Do not use the Mondo HP with standard EL Wire, EL Tape, or EL Panels, the higher output will damage them.

Technically yes, EL products will often light up with third-party inverters. But there are two important caveats.

First, using a non-Ellumiglow inverter with Ellumiglow EL products voids the product warranty. EL materials are sensitive to voltage and frequency. An inverter running at the wrong frequency will either underdrive the material (dim, flat output) or overdrive it (brighter short-term but accelerated degradation). Our inverters are tuned specifically to the products we sell.

Second, specialty products like TruEL™ Wire, VynEL™, and SewGlo™ have tighter requirements than standard EL Wire. Using a generic inverter with these products is more likely to cause problems than with standard wire.